Customer Reviews

Lost In Space: Original Television Soundtrack, Volume One

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As children we delighted in this glorious music, now we are given this incredible gift of the best of John Williams' score for "Lost In Space". From the opening track of the main title I was immediately impressed with the excellent sound quality. Whoever remastered these tracks should be commended for the care that they took. All the best known cues are here, the cues that were used countless times during the three year run. And it is magnificent to hear them un-edited, without the sound effects and dialogue. John Williams would go on to become an honored film composer, and this wonderful collection of fantasmagorical music proved his genius at grabbing art out of an ordinary science fiction/action television show, as he would create magic for millions of moviegoers. When we think of the "Lost In Space" we think of his music first, for without it the excitement would be dulled, the fantasy would be routine. Of all the music written for television during the sixties, this stands out as a crowning acheivement.

Long before "Jaws" and "Star Wars," the unmistakable brilliant music of John Williams was heard (at least in the main title) in every episode of "Lost in Space." This disc features all of the key themes, motifs and musical stings that were used throughout the series' run. This album is a rare gem from the dusty archives that displays John Williams' unerring gift for drama already in full force in 1965. And the child-like atmosphere of "Lost in Space" was a perfect playground for this youthful collection of orchestral fun and frolic that is a direct prelude to "Star Wars." Lost in Space: 40th Anniversary Edition

I can't for the life of me understand why GNP Crescendo has deleted this CD, unless the "Ever-Worshipped Almighty Dollar" had its say. It featured none other than the music of John Williams.... THE John Williams. I'm sure the CD didn't sell like a Jennifer Lopez release,.... which is probably to its credit, but the "Lost in Space" first season music should be considered a part of our musical patrimony. Sure it's all absorbed into each and every episode on DVD, but could it be possible that some of us just want to HEAR music, in the car, in the home or wherever.... and not necessarily have to WATCH something? There was some GREAT music here and GNP Crescendo has done a huge disservice to the public by deleting their "Lost in Space" CD series. (If you look at their current catalog, it's amazing that they've kept some of the substandard titles they have.) I hope a consciencious label will pick up the "Lost in Space" music, digitally remaster it and offer them on CD to those of us who care. I'd buy them and horde them. Those are MY "Almighty Dollars" speaking! (P.S. The poor sound quality of what's found on iTunes would be no substitute either.)

NONE! We own all three years of "Lost In Space" on video. I've always heard the music accompany the dialogue and the action. To hear the soundtrack in both stereo and without any other distractions (I don't say this in a negative way) elevates the music into a whole new universe. Put your headphones on and you'll find yourself "lost in sound", a serious, symphonic journey with Mahler-like intensity. The sound quality is excellent. The horns, strings (especially the plunging violins and the deep tug and pull of cellos) and other instruments march you forward. The music is a total delight and should be experienced independent of the video; whether you liked "Lost In Space" or not, the music stands on its own! Volume Three is equally as good.

John Williams composed the theme and complete scores for four of the first seven episodes. Williams "Lost In Space" theme was unlike anything he had previously written, a quirky melody propelled by brass, with wild flute lines and the notable addition of an electronic tonality similar to the wail of a theremin, the unusual sound that made Bernard Herrmann's - "The Day The Earth Stood Still" score so unearthly.

What can one say about the brilliant music Williams did on this series, I think this ranks right up there with "Jaws" - "Star Wars" and "Superman", and the list could go on. The cues and themes for "Lost In Space" sound as great today as they did some thirty years ago.

GNP/Crescendo with Neil Norman and others have released a real "Gem" for all fans of this series and soundtrack lovers to enjoy forever. Highly, very highly recommend this to you and friends of - "Will Robinson"!

Total Time: 58:28 on 11 Tracks/ GNP/Crescendo Records - GNPD 8044 (1996)

I am of the decided opinion that MORNING AFTER from THE HUNGRY SEA is the single greatest piece of music ever written in the history of the universe. I am not engaging in idle hyberbole. I really mean it. (And my apologies to Kim Carnes for having relegated BETTE DAVIS EYES to a #2 position.) Here's a tidbit I noticed: There's an ascending trumpet finale motif at the end of both THE RELUCTANT STOWAWAY and THE HUNGRY SEA. Williams took that motif and slowed it down to create MORNING AFTER. I was irritated by a sense of musical deja-vu until I figured out the provenance of MORNING AFTER.

CHARIOT TITLES is another mini-masterpiece. It is 64 seconds of promethean anguish. It reminds me of the term that Stravinsky used to describe Beethoven: "virile melancholy". I love the bass harmonies of the passing bass-string notes.

Remember the creepy piccolo at the end of SEA ATTACK #1 in JAWS? There's a similar piccolo routine in DEFROSTING. It's meandering & atonal & arhythmic. It sounds like nothing so much as a haunted tea kettle or bosun's whistle.

Regarding a track called WILL IS THREATENED. I love the trumpet line that starts at 7/1:38. It's backed with brilliant orchestration and key changes.

Regarding a track called LAND HO. It's a short & slow flute tune accompanied by marimba & bass strings. It's a brief oasis of bittersweet placidity. And it means more to me than the entire combined oeuvres of Bach, Beethoven, and Kenny Rogers.

If I had to pick a favorite TV show growing up, it would have to be Lost In Space. And one of the things that made it great, was the fabulous score by John Williams. This CD perfectly captures the flavor of this classic TV show in all of it's querky splendor. This music will really take you back. You'll be amazed how well it still holds up today. I highly recommend it.

Very few TV shows have soundtrack music that stands out so well you can remember whole passages even without the episodes. In this case, the music is often far and away SUPERIOR to the show it accompanies. Much like the track "Kirk Does It Again" (from Star Trek's "The Doomsday Machine") the section where the Jupiter 2 crashes on that planet remains one of the most outstanding pieces of music ever composed for the small screen. And to think, I had to wait most of my life for this record! (But get the box set if you can afford it-- you'll love the extra disc with the interviews and all those cool sound effects!)

I own several "movie score" compact discs that feature the work of John Williams. This TV show soundtrack defeats them all in complexity, creativity, and quality. It provides pure listening pleasure! I highly recommend it.

Hearing this CD (and the rest of the Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen set) is a real treat, after being used to listening to this music with only the sound quality of a TV set for the last 33 years. John Williams has to be one of the greatest film/TV composers of all time, and at last this CD enables us to hear the intricasies of his wonderful arrangements for Lost In Space in great detail. Sit back, close your eyes and listen to the Master at work.